TOMÁS O’LEARY HAS missed out on Munster’s Champions Cup squad, with the recently re-signed Cathal Sheridan instead joining Conor Murray and Duncan Williams as scrum-half options in Rassie Erasmus’ 41-man group.
Prop John Andress and lock Mark Chisholm are also absent from the squad Munster have confirmed to tournament organisers EPCR.
Chisholm has not played for Munster since early March and continues to struggle with concussion issues. It is understood that the Australian lock has considered retirement from professional rugby but Munster say he continues to rehabilitate his injury.
Andress joined the province from Edinburgh during the summer, but has been ommitted from the European squad as John Ryan, Stephen Archer, soon-to-join Thomas du Toit and academy prop Brian Scott provide tighthead options.
32-year-old O’Leary featured off the bench in Munster’s opening two games of the Guinness Pro12 season, but has not played since.
The ex-Ireland international is currently managing a back problem, meaning that his availability from week to week is not guaranteed. With that in mind, Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has opted for Sheridan in his European squad.
Sligo native Sheridan was released by Munster at the end of his contract last season, following a torrid injury run, but Erasmus has brought the UL Bohemians scrum-half back into the fold on a short-term deal.
New hooker Rhys Marshall, South African back Jaco Taute and wing Alex Wootton are also named in Munster’s Champions Cup squad, while Francis Saili, Jean Kleyn, Mike Sherry, Sam Arnold, Bill Johnston and Dave Foley – all on the injury list at present – are included.
Meanwhile, Leinster have named academy prospects Andrew Porter and Joey Carbery in their European squad, while Connacht have included youngsters Cormac Brennan and Conan O’Donnell, as well as Marnitz Boshoff – who joins from the Lions this month.
Ulster’s 41-man group includes Marcell Coetzee – currently injured – and Anton Peikrishvili, the Georgian prop who joined on a short-term deal in August.
Each club in the Champions Cup can register and replace three players during the pool stages of the competition, although one of those three must be a front row. Clubs can make a further three changes during the knock-out stages.
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